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At 2:45 exactly, Team Dietzen starts to make their way to the stadium, our mode of travel-the Metro-we are taking the red line to Centre and catching the green line to the Maracana'zinho Arena, sounds simple enough...and I have complete confidence in our fierce leader, Team Dietzen Dad, Rob.

#13's Dad

Team Dietzen 13

Destination-

Now, I don't know about you but the subway system always gives me a moment of pause, maybe it's because of all the Bourne movies or I think some heinous crime is going to take place when I am on it, or someone is going to pic pocket me, or I am going to get some airborne disease from the crowd, or the system gets messed up and we meet another tram head on, or we accidently catch it to a dead end... and well it's not like you can get off it anytime you want...anyway my moment of pause is over and I/we step on. We get off the redline and look for the green line and there is some confusion of where the green line is, some tell us to take a train, some tell us that tram isn't running today.... oh and here's the thing...I guess the Metro System "high ups" can decide that some days certain trams aren't going to run and it doesn't matter what is listed on your darn Metro Guide that is published all over the city folks and you are holding every word in it like you would your bible-because today the Metro System "high ups" changed their mind....I know this sounds like a rant and it probably is but it's really just an observation and an amusing one at that. Let me say that after talking to 3 different Metro helpers we are straightened around and heading in the right direction to the green line.

Safe and sound on the Metro-like some thrill ride at an amusement park...my tshirt could read I survived the subway system in RIO!

By the way-security everywhere and people to assist you everywhere! Great job again RIO!

Friendly faces and help everywhere you turn

Security at a premium

Team Dietzen makes their way to the stadium, we barely get through security because Team Dietzen's, husband brought his bug repellent, then I look down and notice I (Team Dietzen's mother) have my wrist band on that holds my portable canister of mace...that little canister of mace has given more confidence, I mean to tell you, I may as well be toting an AK47. I don't want to give this up...so I just leave it on my wrist and take my chances. The first security guard (none of which speak a speck of English) looks at my wrist and motions for me to confirm while shaking his head that he thinks that is some kind of inhaler-I just nod sort of in agreement, I know...shame on me but I really don't want to give it up folks---it's been deterring criminals left and right! In the meantime, I am setting all the sirens off in the metal scanner, so I have to remove my bracelet, my pin, and yes my canister and place them in the bin...so now the rest of security is curious about my wrist band canister, they begin inspecting it, they pick it up, turn it over, meanwhile I am not taking my eyes off it for what I dreaded might come next---they flip the top up and...I put my hand up and use every universal body gesture I know to say "no!" They look at me, puzzled while I am saying pepper spray! pepper spray!...they call an interpreter over and I explain to her what it is and she tells me it cannot come with me in the stadium that I have to throw it away! So, I make my way over to the garbage can and dispose of my "AK47"

Brasil! Thank you for the atmosphere!

Inside the Maracana'zinho Arena (side note-it holds 11,000 and the name of this arena means little version to the main arena, Maracana) we meet up with our Team USA section and all the parents and family members are in their Olympic garb! The arena is just beautiful, Brazilians love their volleyball and this arena's atmosphere is a testament of it-well the best way to compare it would be an American NBA stadium atmosphere. The excitement is building!

So Exciting!

We catch up with the parents that just arrived and here we are-ready to cheer on the USA!

#15 Kimberly Hill

#23 Kelsey Robinson

#1 Alisha Glass

#3 Courtney Thompson

#2 Kayla Banworth

The Hannah's

#13 Christa Dietzen

Let's get ready to rumble!

We have a winner...USA! Great

I am so overwhelmed by the support from the folks back home-sharing pics and posts and cheering on Team USA Women's Volleyball-I am truly blessed to have all of you to share this with Thank you